Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Registration is underway for Red Cross babysitting classes at all three Fauquier County public libraries. The workshops are free, but teens must register ahead of time and attend both classes in the series to receive certification from the Red Cross. Attendees must be 12 or over. Get the details.

The classes help teens prepare for a babysitting job, choose safe and age-appropriate toys and games, perform first aid, learn diapering and feeding techniques, handle bedtime issues, and learn tips for having a safe babysitting experience.

Monday, June 25, 2007

If you are a teen you will have two opportunities to explore ancient forms of artistic expression at the library over the next few weeks.

Get adorned with mehndi, an ancient form of body art, and design your own t-shirt using batik techniques.

Both events are part of the Lost … in readingprogram for teens, which also features book discussions, movies, and coffee house programs.

Other upcoming events — made possible through a grant from CADRE — include: pottery painting and workshops for Red Cross babysitting certification (you have to sign up ahead of time for this one). All of the programs are free.

The animals coming to the libraries will help children better understand problems that bring thousands of animals to the center for care each year: litter, loss of habitat, pesticides, diseases, and free-roaming domestic animals. Understanding the animals’ problems also provides insight into the environmental health of our communities.

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Teens are already registering for an anime/manga workshop to be presented by artist and illustrator Forrest Young at two Fauquier libraries next week. The program is free but registration is required.

Young will show the differences in genres such as picture books and comic strips, and will talk about “sequential art” as it appears in comic books, graphic novels, manga, and anime. He uses a down-to-earth approach to show how easy drawing favorite cartoon characters can be.

The workshop is part of the Lost … in reading summer program for teens entering sixth grade or higher being presented June 16 through Aug. 11 at all three Fauquier libraries. WeeklyLost … in reading programs begin June 16.

A teen movie night will begin at 6:30 p.m. June 19 at the John Marshall Library, (540) 364-4010. It will be a great time to see a movie with friends and just enjoy a night out. Call the library for the feature presentation’s title. The movie and popcorn are free.

The Lost … in reading program also features book discussions, movies, and coffee house programs. Special events — made possible through a grant from CADRE — include: batik t-shirt creations, mehndi body art, and pottery painting and workshops for Red Cross babysitting certification.

Wednesday, June 6, 2007

Children of all ages are invited to the first Virginia Trails summer reading special event on Saturday, June 16. Rainbow Company, an interactive theater group that performs regularly in the Washington, D.C., area, will present Sylvester and the Magic Pebble, based on William Steig’s book by that title.

Children will be chosen from the audience to perform “on stage” with the actors as they present this favorite tale. The company, which is a member of The Fairfax County Arts Council Creative Arts Programs, has appeared at the U.S. House of Representative and U.S. Senate’s child care centers, the National Theater, and schools and libraries throughout Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.

The June 16 performances are: 10:30 a.m. at the John Marshall Library; 1 p.m. at the Bealeton Library; and 3:30 p.m. at the John Barton Payne Building, 2 Courthouse Square, Warrenton.

The library is presenting two eight-week summer reading programs this year — one for children and one for teens. Weekly programs and special events, many of which the whole family can enjoy, begin June 16 and continue through Aug. 11. All programs, which are sponsored by The Friends of the Fauquier Library, are free.

Monday, June 4, 2007

Imagine encouraging your children to take to the stage this summer, or to learn about some of Virginia's wild animals by seeing them up close and personal.

Or, just when they are getting hot and bored, wouldn't you like to take them to a puppet or magic show? How about taking in a pirate party? (Everyone is going to be talking like a pirate this summer.)

Got a teen? (Talk about bored!) Maybe it would be OK for your teen to paint a wrist or ankle with henna. The tattoos only last a few weeks, but they are so "coo." Or your budding artist can get creative by painting pottery, or designing their own batik t-shirt, or by taking a workshop on anime/manga art.

Sound like an expensive summer vacation? Surprise! ... It's all free at the library - and, thankfully, you don't have far to drive. An added bonus is that your kids will read this summer - that's a good thing (see May 25 posting).

Registration for the library's summer reading programs is underway. Two eight-week programs are being presented this — one for children and one for teens. Weekly programs and special events, many of which the whole family can enjoy, begin June 16 and continue through Aug. 11.